How teachers are using iPads in Special Education:
I've only been using mine for a few weeks and still getting used to it, but I mostly use it for reinforcement and generalization of skills already taught. Some of the apps also provide more 'real life' applications, (i.e., counting money). And of course, the games help to motivate kids and keep them practicing skills without them thinking they are practicing skills. E.D. - Teacher of Students with Learning Disabilities The iPad has been very useful in my program for a number of things. I have used the iPad to help a student gain proficiency at his multiplication tables by using a variety of multiplication aps. I have also used the iPad to help another student gain comfort with looking into people's eyes by playing Look in my eyes. There are several games under this genre where students look into the eyes of a person, determine the number that was flashed in his/her eyes and earn dollars to purchase things later in the app. The themes are aquarium, toys, train, restaurant and garage, to name a few. Also, the iPad has also been used as a calming tool with one of my students. Some of the Tesla aps are very calming for him and allow him the time to calm down so that we can talk about what is frustrating him at the time. Lastly, the iPad is a great motivator! I use iPad time as a reward with my students when they complete their work with me in a timely and acceptable manner. Some favorite apps the kids like to use are the Talking Tom and Talking Ben apps, which actually repeat what the students are saying - great feedback for kids with speech issues! Another group of favorites are the fondue and cupcake maker - great for practicing fine motor skills and decision making! I also use the iPad for my work in observing the students. Behavior Tracker Pro is a wonderful app for tracking high frequency behaviors as well as duration of behaviors and observing them over time. I also use TallyPad to track time-on-task for my students against that of two other random students in the room. It's very easy and efficient to use and works great for reporting strict time-on-task data. Overall, the iPad is the most heavily-used piece of equipment in my office! It's so useful for working with kids as well as for taking data and observing the students and doing other computer-oriented things in the classroom. I'm not sure what we did without it!
M.F. - Teacher of Students with Autism
I've been using the iPad for flashcard articulation drill. I have been using language apps for answering wh- questions, choosing appropriate grammar for sentences, sentence composing/describing pictures, recording the student's voices for monitoring/encouraging them to speak louder. I've also been using a few "fun" apps as a reward or reinforcement for the students to work hard.
J. H. - Speech/Language Pathologist
I am using P2G with a student with Down Syndrome, various apps for articulation and early language, and fun apps for motivation.
J. C. - Speech/Language Pathologist I have found the iPad 2 to be very useful with some of my visually impaired students. For one of my students, who has very low vision and is hearing impaired, I have found and used several apps. One is a money reading app that when you point the camera at a bill it will read and announce the dollar amount. We have only tried this app once, but are thinking of ways, that as he approaches transition age, how this might be helpful with employment. Also with this student we are utilizing an app called "Read2Go", which is an app from a company called Bookshare, which the district has an account. With this app we are able to download a book in what is known as "daisy" format and we can manipulate the print to whatever size works best and we can change the color of the background and print to offer the best contrast for him to read the text. In addition we can also have the text read to him. He has been very excited about this capability. One other thing I have recently tried is a magnification app with this student, the camera has afforded him some distance viewing, which we may be able to find use for in the near future. With another student I have been using the iPad not only for instruction but as a motivational/reward tool as well. I have one student who is currently in 2nd grade and they are utilizing the iPad in the classroom. With this student I have been using the iPad to teach him how to turn on and use the zoom features so he can learn to turn them on independently and then use as needed. In addition I have been working on developing typing skills with this student and have been able to utilize some free typing apps, and a keyboard for this instruction. We are also playing math games on the iPad, which he considers and we use as a reward, to supplement some of his math skill development. I also have a multiple challenged student that has begun to use the iPad as a tool for social interaction with her classmates. Several apps require just a swipe or tap to activate which is something she is learning to do.
N.G. - Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments
In my Autistic Support room, we use the iPad for a variety of things to promote successful academic and emotional growth with our students. The iPad allows my nonverbal students to work socially in a group utilizing the iPad. I have many academic apps for spelling, math and reading to help promote technology use with my students who have a hard time writing and need OT services. The iPad is a great resource tool to guide my teaching with my students to give them some variety in academic learning.
T.W. - Teacher of Students with Autism
I use different apps depending upon individual student needs such as: tracing/motor planning with individual letters (upper or lower case), numbers &/or shapes literacy activities such as sequencing letters to make words then copying them with pencil/paper turn-taking / sequencing with various cooking activities cause & effect calming/self-regulation with visuals such as Fluid Alerting with simple musical instrument apps Increasing focus with short stories Tapping into specific interests – for example listening to animal sounds then writing animal names Use as a reward…..first work – then iPad
E.L. - Occupational Therapist I teach a Multiple Disability/Lifeskills classroom at the elementary level and have just recently started utilizing the iPad in my classroom. It serves a a great motivator for students because they are so interested in the "fun factor". I have also started with students who need to learn to take some down time or learn how to occupy themselves for awhile, they are much more motivated to do this with an audiobook on the iPad. This reduces their need to have constant adult attention, but also giving them some literacy opportunities, while they are taking a break from their academics. I use it for turn taking, when playing games or listening to audiobooks, and also the preschool apps are great for general academic skills review (independent or adult guided, as needed). Because my students can become too adult dependent, the iPad provides them opportunities to work independently or even with a peer, by holding their attention longer than a typical book or game might. The music apps are also great for my student who do not have the motor skills to play drums or guitar, but who can use those apps with guidance for cause and effect.
J.M. - Teacher of Students with Multiple Disabilities
We are using them for a variety of items. Using the video recording for recording social stories / reminder of expectations of the day /rules , etc. for students that are in need of social modeling/ social skills. We are using them for centers for instruction in the classroom. We are using them to set up folders on them for specific skills instruction for specific students. We are also using the dragon application for speech to text for students that have a significant written expression disabilities / orthopedic impairments. We are trying it out with a student that has a brain injury to read to her / search information/ text to speech. My fifth grade learning support teacher just told me about an application that records her modeling a math problem for examples and then she can upload this to her website for kids to use as examples for homework. Our speech and language therapist has one through the Intermediate Unit and she is incorporating it into speech therapy.
I've only been using mine for a few weeks and still getting used to it, but I mostly use it for reinforcement and generalization of skills already taught. Some of the apps also provide more 'real life' applications, (i.e., counting money). And of course, the games help to motivate kids and keep them practicing skills without them thinking they are practicing skills.
E.D. - Teacher of Students with Learning Disabilities
The iPad has been very useful in my program for a number of things. I have used the iPad to help a student gain proficiency at his multiplication tables by using a variety of multiplication aps. I have also used the iPad to help another student gain comfort with looking into people's eyes by playing Look in my eyes. There are several games under this genre where students look into the eyes of a person, determine the number that was flashed in his/her eyes and earn dollars to purchase things later in the app. The themes are aquarium, toys, train, restaurant and garage, to name a few. Also, the iPad has also been used as a calming tool with one of my students. Some of the Tesla aps are very calming for him and allow him the time to calm down so that we can talk about what is frustrating him at the time. Lastly, the iPad is a great motivator! I use iPad time as a reward with my students when they complete their work with me in a timely and acceptable manner. Some favorite apps the kids like to use are the Talking Tom and Talking Ben apps, which actually repeat what the students are saying - great feedback for kids with speech issues! Another group of favorites are the fondue and cupcake maker - great for practicing fine motor skills and decision making!
I also use the iPad for my work in observing the students. Behavior Tracker Pro is a wonderful app for tracking high frequency behaviors as well as duration of behaviors and observing them over time. I also use TallyPad to track time-on-task for my students against that of two other random students in the room. It's very easy and efficient to use and works great for reporting strict time-on-task data.
Overall, the iPad is the most heavily-used piece of equipment in my office! It's so useful for working with kids as well as for taking data and observing the students and doing other computer-oriented things in the classroom. I'm not sure what we did without it!
M.F. - Teacher of Students with Autism
I've been using the iPad for flashcard articulation drill. I have been using language apps for answering wh- questions, choosing appropriate grammar for sentences, sentence composing/describing pictures, recording the student's voices for monitoring/encouraging them to speak louder. I've also been using a few "fun" apps as a reward or reinforcement for the students to work hard.
J. H. - Speech/Language Pathologist
I am using P2G with a student with Down Syndrome, various apps for articulation and early language, and fun apps for motivation.
J. C. - Speech/Language Pathologist
I have found the iPad 2 to be very useful with some of my visually impaired students. For one of my students, who has very low vision and is hearing impaired, I
have found and used several apps. One is a money reading app that when you point the camera at a bill it will read and announce the dollar amount. We have only tried this app once, but are thinking of ways, that as he approaches transition age, how this might be helpful with employment. Also with this student we are utilizing an app called "Read2Go", which is an app from a company called Bookshare, which the district has an account. With this app we are able to download a book in what is known as "daisy" format and we can manipulate the print to whatever size works best and we can change the color of the background and print to offer the best contrast for him to read the text. In addition we can also have the text read to him. He has been very excited about this capability. One other thing I have recently tried is a magnification app with this student, the camera has afforded him some distance viewing, which we may be able to find use for in the near future.
With another student I have been using the iPad not only for instruction but as a motivational/reward tool as well. I have one student who is currently in 2nd grade and they are utilizing the iPad in the classroom. With this student I have been using the iPad to teach him how to turn on and use the zoom features so he can learn to turn them on independently and then use as needed. In addition I have been working on developing typing skills with this student and have been able to utilize some free typing apps, and a keyboard for this instruction. We are also playing math games on the iPad, which he considers and we use as a reward, to supplement some of his math skill development.
I also have a multiple challenged student that has begun to use the iPad as a tool for social interaction with her classmates. Several apps require just a swipe or tap to activate which is something she is learning to do.
N.G. - Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments
In my Autistic Support room, we use the iPad for a variety of things to promote successful academic and emotional growth with our students. The iPad allows my nonverbal students to work socially in a group utilizing the iPad. I have many academic apps for spelling, math and reading to help promote technology use with my students who have a hard time writing and need OT services. The iPad is a great resource tool to guide my teaching with my students to give them some variety in academic learning.
T.W. - Teacher of Students with Autism
I use different apps depending upon individual student needs such as:
tracing/motor planning with individual letters (upper or lower case), numbers &/or shapes
literacy activities such as sequencing letters to make words then copying them with pencil/paper
turn-taking / sequencing with various cooking activities
cause & effect
calming/self-regulation with visuals such as Fluid
Alerting with simple musical instrument apps
Increasing focus with short stories
Tapping into specific interests – for example listening to animal sounds then writing animal names
Use as a reward…..first work – then iPad
E.L. - Occupational Therapist
I teach a Multiple Disability/Lifeskills classroom at the elementary level and have just recently started utilizing the iPad in my classroom. It serves a a great motivator for students because they are so interested in the "fun factor". I have also started with students who need to learn to take some down time or learn how to occupy themselves for awhile, they are much more motivated to do this with an audiobook on the iPad. This reduces their need to have constant adult attention, but also giving them some literacy opportunities, while they are taking a break from their academics. I use it for turn taking, when playing games or listening to audiobooks, and also the preschool apps are great for general academic skills review (independent or adult guided, as needed). Because my students can become too adult dependent, the iPad provides them opportunities to work independently or even with a peer, by holding their attention longer than a typical book or game might. The music apps are also great for my student who do not have the motor skills to play drums or guitar, but who can use those apps with guidance for cause and effect.
J.M. - Teacher of Students with Multiple Disabilities
We are using them for a variety of items. Using the video recording for recording social stories / reminder of expectations of the day /rules , etc. for students that are in need of social modeling/ social skills. We are using them for centers for instruction in the classroom. We are using them to set up folders on them for specific skills instruction for specific students. We are also using the dragon application for speech to text for students that have a significant written expression disabilities / orthopedic impairments. We are trying it out with a student that has a brain injury to read to her / search information/ text to speech. My fifth grade learning support teacher just told me about an application that records her modeling a math problem for examples and then she can upload this to her website for kids to use as examples for homework. Our speech and language therapist has one through the Intermediate Unit and she is incorporating it into speech therapy.
K.R. - Director of Special Education